Hey guys! I'm back! I'm putting my first story, Of Times Passed on hiatus for a bit as my focus has shifted to other projects. Don't worry! I won't forget about it, I swear on the Styx. Anyway… yeah. New story!
Let's get right into it!
Silver Hearts
Chapter One
"First Sighting"
Third Person POV
(Six months after HOO)
Gaea was defeated, the giants annihilated, and monsters were on the run. Olympus, with its gods and demigod heroes who valiantly fought their way to freedom, was now enjoying some well earned peace and quiet.
Until that all changed.
Artemis POV
Sometimes… I really hate being an immortal. I even hate being a goddess at times. Especially now.
Like right now.
Shit hit the fan almost immediately after the first arrows were fired. No more than ten minutes later, we're where we are now: surrounded with no way out.
Damn Zeus and his good-for-nothing "leads" will eventually end up getting us all killed some day. Deep down, I love my father, but boy is he ever stupid sometimes. I think his ego as King of the Gods is over-inflated and what he really needs is a good smack down. But hey. I can't say anything without serious repercussions.
"My Lady!" a huntress hollered while sending a silver arrow into the heart of a cyclops. "We cannot hold up any longer! We must call for help!"
I whipped my head around, taking in the growing number of my huntresses falling from the ambush we had walked into. I dodged a spear that was thrown at me from a dracanae before hurling one of my daggers through her head. I was about to call upon my fellow Olympians when I caught a glimpse of something white flitting through the trees. My hunters and I were in a small clearing, surrounded by monsters until silver arrows began whizzing past our heads, decimating the enemies. A tall hooded figure cloaked in white dashed between us before hurling himself at the monsters and handling them with deadly precision. He was wielding two silver-like daggers that seemed to emit a faint white glow.
The way he moved with such grace for a being of his size… there was no doubt in my mind that he could potentially match my skill. His cloak billowed around him, yet never seemed to get in his way.
The monsters howled with each slash, stab and cut the cloaked figure landed upon them before exploding into glittering dust. There were no gaps in his defenses, his offensive strikes were always perfectly timed and his posture was completely balanced.
As my hunters and I watched in awe at the spectacle unfolding before our very eyes, I began noticing that the individual never faltered or paused between blocking and striking. He was always on the move with counter blows and blocks. My own eyes widened as I watched him corkscrew through the air, his arms folded across his chest to avoid a cyclops's sweeping club before lashing out, slicing his throat open. He landed with the grace of a cat and continued with his onslaught, dealing fatal blows and crippling strikes with every swing.
Within minutes, the area was clear and we had our bows trained on him as he silently walked the perimeter of the clearing. He ignored us and once he had completed his circle, began walking up to me. I watched as he twirled the daggers in his hands before sliding them into the twin scabbards on his back. I changed into my older form to be about 20 years old for a human and my huntresses kept their arrows aimed at him. He stopped about three feet in front of me and just stood there, his breathing level and normal. Without a word, he held out his hand to offer me the dagger I had thrown earlier. After cautiously taking it from him, he whirled around and sprinted into the treeline where he disappeared without a sound. A few arrows thudded into the trees but none even came close to touching him.
"Damn it all!" Came the curse from a furious Phoebe.
As my hunters began arguing, I merely looked down at the dagger in my hand and seen a note wrapped around the handle. Seeing my attention drawn to the piece of paper, the girls quieted. Carefully removing the note, I read it aloud.
Hello Hunters of Artemis and Artemis yourself.
Seeing as you are currently facing North-Northwest, Artemis, there is a young girl who is about six years old that you should be aware of. She is hiding in the bushes straight east fifty feet into the treeline. She will obey you and reveal herself if you ask her politely.
Looking at my hunters, I could see curiosity, anger, mistrust and doubt etched into their faces. Going back to the note, I continued reading, my doubts slowly giving way to shock.
The girl's name is Alee. I believe she is a daughter of Athena, just from her stormy gray eyes and blonde hair, but I will leave that judgment up to you, Artemis. She was not in a good place when I found her. Her 'caretakers', if you can even call them that, beat her and were debating whether or not they should rape her before throwing her to the streets. That was the final straw for me. Judge and curse me all you want, I will not allow a child to be tormented like that. I slaughtered and tortured all those involved with her who sought to cast her out and I now bring her here to you. I foresee her doing great things within your ranks.
This will not be our only encounter, huntresses. I have been around for thousands of years, and I too have seen the treachery that men force upon women.
It disheartens me knowing I am male and therefore puts me at an immediate disadvantage in earning your trust, but I assure you all I am not here to harm or deceive you.
Tears welled up in my eyes reading of the girl's life, but the most overwhelming feeling was surprise. I could also see my hunter's look of shock when this man described himself. In the back of my mind, I remember Zeus's oath to Thalia in refilling my hunter's ranks… but this person was doing it on his own out of the kindness of his heart. I had to respect the fact that he was putting his life on the line to help the man hating goddess of maidenhood replace what she had lost. Clearing my throat, I continued.
I will help you refill your huntress's ranks, Artemis, but I will not tolerate being shot at on sight. If you wish to see me, strike your daggers together three times in a row and I will come to you. Do keep in mind that I will not reveal my secrets until trust is established between your Hunt and myself.
I hope you call upon me soon. I can teach you many things in the art of combat.
-S
Silence permeated the air around us as we digested the letter before Thalia spoke up.
"You know… not all males are evil." She said slowly, as if unsure of herself.
"You can't be serious!" Another hunter exclaimed. "That's a load of Minotaur dung to me."
As more arguments broke out, Phoebe and I met each other's eyes and, coming to a silent agreement, nodded. Addressing my hunters, I raised my voice to be heard above them.
"That's enough!" I yelled. "Everyone settle down! Phoebe, can you please get the girl he claimed to save? That will be the first piece of evidence to prove himself."
Phoebe nodded and ran into the trees while we all watched. After less than a minute, my eldest huntress walked back into the clearing speaking softly to a wide-eyed girl in her arms. I raised an eyebrow at her, as if challenging the legitimacy of her location as the two came closer.
Walking up to us with the girl in her arms, Phoebe nodded and confirmed that she was exactly where the letter stated she would be.
Exhaling a sigh of disbelief, I decided to consult the Olympian council.
"Girls. I must talk this over with the council. They must be made aware of this new individual."
My hunters nodded and began to make camp for the time being while I flashed myself to Olympus. I sighed as I walked up to the throne room doors.
This was going to take a while.
Well well well.
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